Develop a deeper understanding of Pacific societies and cultures, and open pathways to meaningful careers and leadership.
Why study postgraduate Pacific Studies?
Pacific Islands Studies is a unique, multidisciplinary programme that examines contemporary issues of importance to Pacific peoples, including New Zealanders, within their broad cultural context. It covers the vast region within the Polynesian Triangle defined by Hawai‘i, Rapa Nui and Aotearoa as well as the islands of Melanesia and Micronesia. This focus reflects New Zealand’s place in the Pacific and its political, intellectual and diplomatic relationships across the region.
At postgraduate level you gain the space to explore these connections in depth. You can examine language revitalisation, cultural identity, community development, environmental change, education or policy, always grounded in Pacific knowledge and perspectives. Your study encourages you to think critically about how Pacific peoples navigate social, cultural and global challenges and how research can support their aspirations.
Career opportunities
With a postgraduate qualification in Pacific Islands Studies, you build knowledge and skills valued across many fields. You might go on to careers in:
- Community development, cultural leadership or advocacy for Pacific communities
- Policy development or governmental and public sector roles focused on Pacific issues
- Education, cultural or language revitalisation initiatives
- Research, social services, health, environment or community wellbeing sectors
- Arts, media, heritage, communication or cultural organisations working with Pacific peoples
What it’s like to study at this level
You’ll study within Te Tumu: School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies, a vibrant academic community with staff and students working across Māori, Pacific and Indigenous scholarship. You’ll have access to postgraduate pathways including Honours, the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts), the Master of Arts and the PhD.
Your programme blends coursework and research in ways that let you follow your interests and deepen your specialist knowledge. If you choose a thesis pathway, you’ll complete a major research project guided by experienced academic staff. At Otago you learn from people, community and real-world connection as much as from your formal study.
This is for you if ...
You will have been awarded a relevant degree in the subject of study proposed or have an alternative acceptable qualification.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Pacific Studies as an undergraduate at Otago.
A home for Pacific knowledge and leadership
Te Tumu has an international reputation as a leading centre in New Zealand for research and teaching in Māori, Pacific and Indigenous studies – you’ll join a community that values Pacific voices, knowledge and futures.
Otago offers several postgraduate pathways so you can choose the structure that best supports your goals, whether you prefer coursework, a thesis or advanced research through a PhD. Studying Pacific Islands Studies here means joining a community of scholars who are committed to research that matters and to strengthening the wellbeing and futures of Pacific peoples locally and regionally.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
A two-semester programme of structured coursework, and in some cases supervised research, extending the knowledge and skills gained from the bachelor’s degree
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
A coursework degree with an optional research dissertation component, usually completed in 12 to 18 months of full-time study, or part-time over a longer period
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
A one- or two-year degree entailing a major research project, culminating in a thesis
Graduate qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Growing up in Samoa I took my culture for granted, but my studies made me realize how much I still had to learn about Pacific people and their past. Culture is not a static entity, and our future depends on understanding those around us.
MA graduate, Pacific Islands Studies
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Pacific Studies is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
| Papers |
|---|
| PACI 490 Dissertation |
| Three further papers from MAOR 407, PACI 401, PACI 402, PACI 405, or PACI 410. |
| One other INDS 400-level or MAOR 400-level paper, or one other approved paper from a related discipline at 400-level or above, may be substituted for one of MAOR 407, PACI 401-410. |
| Thesis |
|---|
|
| Dissertation / Studio Project Requirements |
|---|
| PACI 590 Research Dissertation |
| Two of: |
| HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research |
| HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities |
| HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities |
| Two of: |
| MAOR 407, PACI 401, PACI 402, PACI 405, or PACI 410. |
| INGS 501 or one other 400-level INDS or 400-level MAOR paper, or one other approved paper from a related discipline at 400-level or above, may be substituted for one of MAOR 407, PACI 401-410. |
| Papers-Only Requirements |
| At least two of: |
| HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research |
| HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities |
| HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities |
| And 120 points from: |
| MAOR 407, PACI 401, PACI 402, PACI 405, or PACI 410. |
| INGS 501 or one other 400-level INDS or 400-level MAOR paper, or one other approved paper from a related discipline at 400-level or above, may be substituted for one of MAOR 407, PACI 401-410. |
| Note: Students are able to take one of HUMS 501-503 not already taken as an optional paper in this pathway. |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
PACI papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PACI101 | 2026 | Pacific Societies | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PACI102 | 2026 | Pacific Dance: An Introduction | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| PACI103 | 2026 | Languages and Cultures of the Pacific: An Introduction | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PACI201 | 2026 | Contemporary Pacific Island Issues | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PACI210 | 2026 | Special Topic | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PACI301 | 2026 | Gafa o Tagata Pasifika - Pacific Diaspora in New Zealand | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PACI305 | 2026 | Peace and Conflict in the Pacific | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| PACI310 | 2026 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| PACI401 | 2026 | Tinā Pasifika - Women in Polynesian Communities | 30 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| PACI402 | 2026 | Resource Conservation and Environment in the Pacific | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| PACI405 | 2026 | Indigenous Leadership in the Pacific | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| PACI410 | 2026 | Special Topic | 30 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| PACI490 | 2026 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year |
| PACI590 | 2026 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period (27 February 2026 - 19 February 2027), 2nd Non standard period (10 July 2026 - 2 July 2027) |
Contacts
Email maori-studies@otago.ac.nz
Website www.otago.ac.nz/te-tumu
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
World-class research
The University of Otago has a global reputation for research excellence. Our expertise is vast across health, society, culture, sustainability and the environment.
Explore our research